100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education approved several changes to the district’s academic calendars.
First, the Board approved changes to the current 2019-20 calendars as a result of the recent “snow day” which caused school to be canceled for students and staff on Friday, February 21. For students, that day was essentially “forgiven” as the district already had a surplus of instructional hours beyond the minimum the state requires in order to comply with calendar law. For staff, the missed day will now be replaced with an Optional Workday added to the end of the calendar in June.
These revised calendars are now posted to our district websites and will be made available in our schools as hard copies.
Next, the Board decided to discontinue the “dual-calendar” programs which are currently offered at Butner Stem Elementary School, Butner Stem Middle School and West Oxford Elementary School. These three schools currently offer both a traditional and a year-round calendar as options for students as part of the choice program. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, these schools will operate on the single, district-wide calendar.
In making their decision, the Board reviewed data about the program which showed declining enrollment, a lack of interest from parent surveys, increasing cost, and no clear changes in overall academic achievement for children.
Finally, the Board approved a NEW district-wide academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. This calendar differs from the current traditional calendar in that all students will report to school two weeks earlier than normal, with their first day back to school being Monday, August 10, 2020. The calendar also provides a longer winter break, with opportunities for students to participate in an “intersession” in early January. This optional intersession will provide students with innovative opportunities for enrichment, exploration and remediation, as well as clubs and extracurricular activities.
The calendar offers spring break right before Easter and ends with the last day for students occurring on Friday, May 26, 2021. An additional three-week intersession period is also offered for students in the month of June.
The Board cited several student-friendly features of this new calendar design, including finishing the first semester before the winter break, closer alignment with VGCC course schedules, intersession programs, better alignment with athletic programs, and more flexibility for offering professional development to improve teacher effectiveness.
The new calendar, dubbed an “innovative year-round” calendar, provides additional flexibility for the district in start and end dates, which makes many of these new features possible. The Board reviewed survey data to help inform their decision, which showed that of 1082 respondents, an overwhelming majority (644) chose this new calendar option as their first choice. Additionally, more respondents (415) chose the current traditional calendar design as their least favorite choice.
Board Chairman David Richardson commented, “I am pleased we can offer this new innovative approach that puts children first. The Board has made increasing academic performance its top priority, and we need to make sure our efforts focus on ways to best support our students and staff in this regard. We recognize there will be some adjustments to this new design and will work with families to help make the transition as smooth as possible.”
All schools except Granville Early College High School (GECHS) will follow this new, innovative calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. GECHS will follow a separate calendar mirroring that of its partner, Vance-Granville Community College.
Both the new 2020-2021 district calendar and the 2020-2021 GECHS calendar are posted on the district website and available in hard copy at schools.
Granville Co. Public Schools BOE Adopts Calendar Changes
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education approved several changes to the district’s academic calendars.
First, the Board approved changes to the current 2019-20 calendars as a result of the recent “snow day” which caused school to be canceled for students and staff on Friday, February 21. For students, that day was essentially “forgiven” as the district already had a surplus of instructional hours beyond the minimum the state requires in order to comply with calendar law. For staff, the missed day will now be replaced with an Optional Workday added to the end of the calendar in June.
These revised calendars are now posted to our district websites and will be made available in our schools as hard copies.
Next, the Board decided to discontinue the “dual-calendar” programs which are currently offered at Butner Stem Elementary School, Butner Stem Middle School and West Oxford Elementary School. These three schools currently offer both a traditional and a year-round calendar as options for students as part of the choice program. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, these schools will operate on the single, district-wide calendar.
In making their decision, the Board reviewed data about the program which showed declining enrollment, a lack of interest from parent surveys, increasing cost, and no clear changes in overall academic achievement for children.
Finally, the Board approved a NEW district-wide academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. This calendar differs from the current traditional calendar in that all students will report to school two weeks earlier than normal, with their first day back to school being Monday, August 10, 2020. The calendar also provides a longer winter break, with opportunities for students to participate in an “intersession” in early January. This optional intersession will provide students with innovative opportunities for enrichment, exploration and remediation, as well as clubs and extracurricular activities.
The calendar offers spring break right before Easter and ends with the last day for students occurring on Friday, May 26, 2021. An additional three-week intersession period is also offered for students in the month of June.
The Board cited several student-friendly features of this new calendar design, including finishing the first semester before the winter break, closer alignment with VGCC course schedules, intersession programs, better alignment with athletic programs, and more flexibility for offering professional development to improve teacher effectiveness.
The new calendar, dubbed an “innovative year-round” calendar, provides additional flexibility for the district in start and end dates, which makes many of these new features possible. The Board reviewed survey data to help inform their decision, which showed that of 1082 respondents, an overwhelming majority (644) chose this new calendar option as their first choice. Additionally, more respondents (415) chose the current traditional calendar design as their least favorite choice.
Board Chairman David Richardson commented, “I am pleased we can offer this new innovative approach that puts children first. The Board has made increasing academic performance its top priority, and we need to make sure our efforts focus on ways to best support our students and staff in this regard. We recognize there will be some adjustments to this new design and will work with families to help make the transition as smooth as possible.”
All schools except Granville Early College High School (GECHS) will follow this new, innovative calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. GECHS will follow a separate calendar mirroring that of its partner, Vance-Granville Community College.
Both the new 2020-2021 district calendar and the 2020-2021 GECHS calendar are posted on the district website and available in hard copy at schools.
H-V Rec. & Parks to Hold Annual Egg Hunt in Two Locations
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent, Aycock Recreation Center
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department’s Egg Hunt will be held at two locations this year: Aycock Recreation Center (307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson) and Rollins Avenue Park (305 Rollins Avenue, Henderson) on Saturday, April 4, 2020, from 10 a.m. until all eggs are gone!
For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Warren Co. Man Sentenced to Six Years on Child Pornography Charges
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday, Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced MICHAEL WYATT COLLIUS, 23, of Norlina, NC to 72 months’ imprisonment, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. COLLIUS was also ordered to pay more than $68,000 in restitution to known child pornography victims identified through the investigation.
COLLIUS pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on November 13, 2019, to one count of receipt of child pornography.
In September 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Raleigh, North Carolina, assisted the Spanish National Police Cyber Child Pornography Group II, Technology Investigation Unit, with an investigation into Dropbox users sharing child pornography. Investigators were able to determine that one of the accounts responsible for sharing child pornography belonged to COLLIUS.
Following additional investigation, a search warrant was obtained for COLLIUS’ residence. On May 3, 2018, investigators with the FBI and Warren County Sheriff’s Office executed the warrant and seized COLLIUS’ phone. A later forensic review recovered over 800 images and over 200 videos containing child pornography. COLLIUS agreed to speak with investigators at the time of the search and admitted to receiving, sharing and possessing child pornography.
This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level.
For more information about this important national initiative, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Raleigh, North Carolina, conducted the investigation of this case with assistance from the Spanish National Police Cyber Child Pornography Group II, Technology Investigation Unit and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan M. Stephany represented the government.
Granville Co. Emergency Services Offers Severe Weather Preparedness Tips
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Government
To encourage planning and preparation for severe weather, the first week of March is designated as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The observance serves as a reminder of the importance of planning for unexpected thunderstorms and tornadoes.
North Carolina has between 40 and 50 thunderstorm days per year, and 10 percent of those are severe. Severe storms can produce hail an inch in diameter, winds of 58 mph or more or can produce a tornado. Last year, there were 928 incidents of severe thunderstorms across the state with damaging winds, as well as 91 incidents of flooding.
With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for potential storms. These storms can develop so rapidly that having a plan in place beforehand is critical. Granville County residents are encouraged to learn more about severe weather safety and to develop a safety plan. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during severe weather and tornadoes:
Granville County Emergency Services encourages all residents to take time now to prepare. To enroll in Granville County’s CodeRED notification system, please visit granvillecounty.org. Click on the CodeRED logo located on the Emergency Management page, found under the Community heading.
To find out more about tornadoes, severe storms and emergency preparedness, visit the ReadyNC website at www.ReadyNC.org.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 03/03/20
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 03/03/20: Have You Voted? Primary Election Day Info.
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 03/03/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 03/02/20: Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 1-7
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Brian Short, Director of Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Short announced that March 1 – March 7 is the 2020 North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week. With the potential of severe weather peaking with the beginning of the spring season, Short said now is the time to prepare in case of an emergency situation.
“Mother Nature rarely gives us a break,” said Short. “It seems like there is something we face every season. As we slide into spring, there is the potential for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flash flooding and lightning.”
The number one thing you can do to prepare for severe weather is to make a safety plan for you and your family, Short explained. The plan should include which room(s) of the home to seek shelter in and who to contact in case of an emergency.
Tips for staying safe in events such as a tornado include seeking shelter in an interior room with no windows, staying close to the ground and getting in a doorway, which tends to be more structurally-sound than other parts of the home.
In addition to making a severe weather safety plan, Short said the National Weather Service (NWS) encourages everyone to participate in a Statewide Tornado Drill, which will occur on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Every school, business, workplace, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate.
In information Short provided to WIZS, the NWS states the following:
Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you may do one of the following:
There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill. It will end when your group feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
According to the NWS, if there is actual severe weather occurring on March 4, 2020, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed. The alternate date for the drill is Friday, March 6, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.
Short encourages Henderson residents (that haven’t already done so) to visit www.vancecounty.org/em to register for the Code Red emergency notification service. By signing up for Code Red, you will receive local weather alerts and emergency information – evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, missing child reports, etc. – directly to your phone.
For additional information on Severe Weather Preparedness Week, please visit https://www.weather.gov/rah/2020ncswpw where you’ll find links to daily severe weather topics and useful severe weather preparedness tips and information.
To hear the interview with Short in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Tues. is Election Day; Less Than 10 Percent of Vance Co. Voters Cast Early Ballots
/by John C. Rose100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Early voting finished Saturday. According to election director Faye Gill for the Vance County Board of Elections, “ The grand total for entire Early Voting is 2,793.” Vance County has 28,471 registered voters, which means 9.8 percent of eligible voters in Vance County voted early.
When compared to the May 2018 primary in Vance County, which held a Democratic Primary race for Sheriff, 18.39 percent of eligible voters cast a vote in 2018. Just a head-to-head comparison would lead you to believe that half of those who will vote have already done so early.
But this is a Presidential election year and Super Tuesday.
If you go back to the March 2016 primary election – the last Presidential Election year – almost 32 percent of eligible Vance County voters cast a vote, which would be an indication that so far this year a little less than one third, or more specifically about 30.6 percent, of the people who are planning to vote have already done so early.
The Polls are open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
All absentee ballots must be returned by Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 5 p.m. or must be postmarked by March 3, 2020, and received in the Board of Elections Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Voters WILL NOT be required to show photo ID for the March 3, 2020 Primary Election. In a December 31 order, a federal district court blocked North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement from taking effect. This injunction will remain in place until further order of the court.
H-V Chamber Thanks Community for Support of Annual Membership Banquet (Pics)
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Information and photos courtesy Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce:
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce had a very successful 2020 Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet. We had an early sell-out of our 400 available seats, so I wanted to share some highlights with those of you who were unable to attend.
Our Annual Meeting Planning Committee did an outstanding job of recommending new and exciting features to reinvigorate this signature event. The members of the Planning Committee were Stephanie Hoyle, Diane Finch, Julia Langston, Melissa Paul, John Charles Rose, Micheal Shaw, Ana Vaughan, Gayle Watkins and Nancy Wykle.
I hope you will enjoy the Chamber video that was shown at the Annual Meeting – Click on this link to watch: https://youtu.be/D2zykVWh4G4.
Special thanks to Edward Ortega with Vance County Schools, Jeannie Rose and John Charles Rose with WIZS Radio who volunteered many, many hours of their time and talent to produce this video for our Chamber.
Congratulations to our 2019 Citizen of the Year – Tommy and Carolyn Farmer – and congratulations to Desiree Brooks (The Daily Dispatch) our Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor – Duke Energy. Other sponsors included: (Gold) Benchmark Community Bank, MARS Petcare, and Walmart Distribution Center; (Silver) Truist Bank, Maria Parham Health, and Wake Electric Membership Corp; (Bronze) EnviroLink and Union Bank.
We added a Social event prior to dinner at this year’s banquet; thank you to Rose Oil Company for sponsoring the hot beverage bar and to Maria Parham Health for providing the appetizers.
We enjoyed entertainment by the Vance County High School chorus and the Just Friends band that played during our Social.
Thank you to Chick-fil-A for donating meal gift cards for the students and the band members. MARS Petcare contributed chocolate candy table favors to everyone and Emily Arner Freeman provided homemade cupcakes for a special dessert.
Door Prizes were donated by Document Systems (office supplies); Henderson Family YMCA (6-month membership); Henderson Wellness (spa package gift certificates); Lowe’s Home Improvement ($50 gift certificate); Mast Drug Company (gift basket); Ribeye’s of Henderson ($50 gift certificate); Schewels Home (LG 32” Television); Southern Laundry ($25 gift certificate); The Daily Dispatch (1-year subscription); and The Peanut Roaster (peanuts gift basket).
We appreciate your support of our Chamber and we encourage you to become involved in one of our many Chamber of Commerce committees or attend one of our networking events. Contact the Chamber at (252) 438-8414 for more information.